Transitions

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to everyone! The transition after Christmas right before New Year's always make me a little blue, it's all the anticipation for one day, and then BAM! It's over. Although this year, the majority of our Christmas festivities have been after the real holiday. No pictures this time around, Matt is uploading very large files, and I'm surprised I can even post this.

We had a lovely Christmas Eve spent with Lorraine and Loren and half of Loren's children, Sara and Andrew. Dinner at Lorraine's, and lots of good conversation, and then we attended the Congregational Christmas Eve Church Service, where my mother sang with the choir.

Christmas morning we awoke to find fluffy snow, and presents under the tree for Matt and I, and our favorite dog Ace. We headed over to mom and dad's for quiche and mimosa's, and then scurried back to our house to prepare the Underwood family feast. A little over 30 showed, and it was our first large family gathering in the new house. Matt and I cooked turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy, and everyone else brought a dish to pass. It was a bit intimidating with the mothers and aunts hovering over my shoulder watching to make things are done right, waiting ever so patiently to swoop in to take control, do the dishes, clean up, or whatever needed to be done, but much appreciated at the same time.

The 26th we celebrated with my immediate family, and gorged ourselves on 2 lb. lobsters! We made so much food, but none of us could eat any sides, the lobster filled us all up entirely! It was the best lobster I've ever eaten. We then opened gifts and chatted, Sean and Susan and the kids stayed 2 nights, and it was very special to have all the siblings under one roof.

The 27th, I was able to spend a few very happy hours with Andrea, Britta, Rachel, all of their kiddies, and doggies, at the Mulder home, with more siblings and more babies, and more doggies! What a great time though, and each one is changing and getting bigger, and more precious.

The 28th we celebrated the Hicks Christmas on Matt's side of the family, his Grandma Betty make the entire meal, usually preparing weeks ahead of time, and getting up at 4 am. This seems a little crazed, but she is 82, and still wants to do it! Rhonda and Greg also came in from Pittsburgh, and then we all had a slumber party at our house last night because Lorraine's house is out of power. We had a huge wind storm blow through Sunday morning knocking out power, and flooding the lake. The joys of climate change. Anyone who thought it was bunk, has to believe it now! Huge winter storms, then rain and wind storms, then flooding. Hmmmm?

Anyhow, we have one more Christmas tomorrow, then New Year's. Wow!